Overview
The polygonal virginals by Annibale dei Rossi, Milan (active 1560-1577, d. 1577-1590) or his son Ferrante.
An exceptional contemporary account mentioning Rossis appeared in 1595: ‘Annibale Rosso was worthy of praise, as he was the first to modernise virginals into the shape in which we now see them. This skilful maker constructed among other works a virginal of uncommon beauty and excellence, with the keys all of precious stones and with the most elegant ornaments. This instrument was sold for 500 crowns, and is now in the possession of the learned and refined nobleman Signor Carlo Trivulzio. Ferrante (Rosso), his son, is following in the footsteps of his father in all respects and continuing to make improvements in clavichords, thereby making a name for himself’ (Paolo Morigi’s ‘La Nobilità de Milano’ 1595). The instrument mentioned is possibly the much adorned instrument in the V&A
The mouldings on the instrument exactly match those on a from Annibale Rossi virginals of 1571 (one slightly differs this attributable to the wearing of the cutter), conclusively identifying the instrument as from the Rossi workshop.
Sadly, the moulding above the keys with the name of the maker was lost. Decoration of outer case, itself an unusual survival, has undergone various stages. The current painting of the inner lid was copied from the 1606 Metamorphoses of Ovid illustration by Antonio Tempesta (c.1655-1737).
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William Byrd – Callino Casturame